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Dr. Ambedkar Post-Doctoral Fellowships

Background

1.1. Dr Ambedkar International Centre (DAIC) has been envisaged to be the Centre of

Excellence for study, research, analysis and policy briefs in the field of Socio-economic

Transformation and Buddhist Studies. The Centre works on reducing discrimination and

exclusion and monitors progress towards more inclusive society.

1.2. The main focus of the Centre is to tackle Socio-political and Economic inequalities. In

DAIC, research will be conducted by the scholars from select universities both in India and

abroad to reduce discrimination and exclusion and monitor progress towards inclusion. The

other important areas of research which DAIC is going to take up are theory of social and

economic transformation of Dr. Ambedkar, transformational and developmental aspects of

Buddhism, policy review and policy advocacy and sustainable development and livelihood

through various activities in the Centre. These researches will not only be used to support

industry and business houses but also to back all branches related to social sciences aiming to

uplift the life of people. DAIC has its own infrastructure and divisions for achieving its aims

and objectives.

1.3. During the last one year, DAIC has made ‘Socio-economic Transformation’ a niche area

of its research activities through lectures, internship programme for University students,

seminars, conferences and panel discussions. Under the broad research area of Socio-economic

Transformation, the following are priority research segments:

1.3.1 Trends and patterns of Socio-economic Transformation in Rural India

1.3.2 Urbanisation, Migration and Socio-economic Transformation

1.3.3 Socio-economic Transformation for Nomadic Tribes in Urban Area

1.3.4 Tackling Inequalities through Social and Economic Empowerment

1.3.5 Policies for Socio-economic Transformation and Sustainable Development

1.3.6 Caste and gender-based Identities and Challenges for Inclusive Growth

1.3.7 Policies for Better Livelihood for economically Backward Classes and other

allied sectors such as Transgender, Rag Picker, Beggars, etc.

1.3.8 Dr. Ambedkar’s Thoughts and Philosophy on Socio-economic Transformation

1.3.9 Sustainable Development and its Goals

1.3.10 Welfare Policies and Schemes by the Government for SC, ST, OBC,

Divyangjan, and Minorities.

2. About Fellowship

2.1 DAIC has focused on Socio-economic Transformation, Sustainable Development and

Livelihood, Inclusive Growth and Tackling Inequalities. The Centre is keen to develop high

quality applied research practices for undertaking research which may help DAIC become a

Think-Tank for policy feed to the Government. In this regard, DAIC is some important steps

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towards collaboration with various reputed institutions for joint research projects and training

programmes both in India and abroad.

2.2 Dr Ambedkar International Centre (DAIC), under the financial assistance of Ministry of

Social Justice and Empowerment, is going to start national and international doctoral and post-

doctoral fellowship schemes to produce a Monograph and a document for policy feed.

2.3 The Fellow is expected to undertake research and publication in one or more areas of

Socio-economic Transformation as mentioned above. Under no circumstances, the fellow may

be allowed to use the opportunity to convert her/his PhD work into a publishable manuscript.

The fellow will have to take up a new research work under the fellowship and he/she is

strongly expected to generate a publishable manuscript towards the end of the fellowship. As

per the UGC norms, the fellow is also expected to deliver two seminars, and contribute in the

academic activities of DAIC including setting up a digital archive on Socio-economic

Transformation and Buddhist Studies.

3. Objective:

The objective of the Fellowships is-

I. To provide an opportunity to scholars to carry out advanced studies and

research in the fields of Socio-economic Transformation, Sustainable Development

and Buddhist Studies.

II. To bridge the gap between policy for Socio-economic Transformation and

Sustainable Development and their impact after implementation.

III. To foster and promote collaborative research activities which will help in

providing policy feeds.

IV. To take up the problem whose solution will be a big step forward for the field,

rather than an incremental step and which is going to matter to more people than just a

small group.

4. Types of Post-Doctoral fellowships:

Dr. Ambedkar National and International fellowships are completely mentored fellowship

schemes. During the entire period of fellowship, the fellow shall be working under two

supervisors, one from a university in India or abroad and the other from DAIC. The Scheme

shall be coordinated and administered by DAIC for Research in coordination with the Ministry

of Social Justice and Empowerment. DAIC may introduce the following two types of

completely mentored fellowship schemes-

I. International Post-doctoral fellowships for Indian Students to study abroad.

II. National Post-doctoral fellowship

All the fellowship schemes will include rigorous training and experience based on field study

on the topic of research.

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5. Post-Doctoral fellowship:

Post-doctoral fellowship is designed for fellows to refine and expand upon skills in the areas of

analytic thinking, research techniques, public presentation, and professional writing. The

overall goal for fellows is to develop the skill sets required to pin point novel high impact areas

of investigation and then obtain resources to prepare a fact-based document with the help of

scientific analysis of data collected during the study, reading and review of the existing

policies and related document.

6. Duration of the proposed Fellowship Scheme:

The timeline for the post-doctoral fellowships is set for two years. Under no circumstances, the

timeline should be extended. Post-Doctoral fellowship may be awarded to the students who

enrol themselves in the University that has signed an MoU with DAIC. However, good

proposals forwarded by the other universities in India and abroad may also be considered.

7. Eligibility

7.1 For Post-Doctoral Fellowship

7.1.1 Research Scholars who have completed their PhD with recognised

research publications to their credit.

7.1.2 The candidate must have a doctorate degree in the relevant subject

from Universities/Institutions recognised by UGC/Association of India Universities

(AIU), with published research work to their credit.

7.1.3 Not more than 10 years must have lapsed after award of the doctorate

however relaxation may be given to the bright candidates on the recommendations

of an expert committee.

7.1.4 The candidate should have secured a minimum of 55% marks (or

equivalent Grade) at UG and PG levels. (5% relaxation will be given to SC, ST,

OBC and other candidates as per Govt. of India rules.)

7.1.5 The Candidate must not be more than 50 years of age as on the date of

publication of the advertisement. The upper age limit may be relaxed as per

government of India norms for women and for SC/ST/OBC/PH/ Minority

Community candidates.

7.1.6 The Candidate should not be receiving any grant or research assistance

by whatever name called from any other source.

7.1.7 The Candidate should not be engaged in any part-time or full time

employment of any nature during the entire tenure of Fellowship. Those who are

employed* will have to produce relieving/study leave certificate issued by the

respective Organisation/Institution from the day the fellowship is awarded.

8. Outcome and Deliverables

8.1 Stated aims and objectives of the scheme

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I. To nurture and promote quality research in the identify fields.

II. To foster and promote collaborative research for providing policy outputs.

III. To prepare young research scholars to substantially contribute to their

research themes.

IV. To encourage and retain young scholars who have completed Ph.D. and

looking forward to pursue a regular career in teaching and research.

V. To give a pedagogy of the Pride to heterogeneous sections like policy

makers, bureaucrats, government officers, academicians, social thinkers etc.

for understanding the relevance of Buddhism and Dr. Ambedkar’s thoughts

in modern and contemporary times.

VI. To provide an opportunity to scholars to carry out advance studies and

research in the fields of socio-economic transformation, Sustainable

Development and Buddhist Studies.

VII. To impact the development process through knowledge products of quality

research.

VIII. Through implementation of the scheme promote networking among

research institutions, thereby contributing to an active discourse on the

identified fields.

8.2 Measurable Indicators.

Fellowships will help in promoting quality research, providing policy outputs and

young research scholars to DAIC, opportunity to carryout advanced studies,

propagating thoughts and philosophy of Dr. Ambedkar on sustainable development,

creating knowledge bank and think tank for the government and understanding

relevance of Buddhism and Dr. Ambedkar’s thoughts in contemporary times.

For post-doctoral scheme, the evaluation scheme is divided into the fowling

evaluation matrix:

i. First Six Months (Presentation and Research Paper

Publication)

ii. Second Six Months (Progression Report/ Presentation)

iii. Third Six Months (Monograph Publication)

iv. Forth Six Months (A Book-length final report)

9. Target Beneficiaries:

9.1 Although the scheme has not been designed for any location, area and segment of

population yet the Government of India norms for selection for all candidate. The candidates

for post-doctoral degree will be registered at a Universities in India or abroad through proper

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channel. For award of fellowship to the selected candidates. The following procedure will be

followed-

10 post-doctoral fellowships both for Indian and foreign student will be awarded through a

mechanism to identify the deserving candidate maybe as follows:

a) Setting up an apex-level committee, headed by the Secretary to the Govt. of

India and comprising at least two external experts.

b) Priority maybe given to students from partner institutions though the scholar

from any university may apply for the fellowship through proper channel.

c) The eligibility criteria for the schemes are proposed as per the provisions of

the University Grant Commission in India and provisions of Association of

Indian Universities for overseas.

9.2 Specific interventions

Both the schemes are dedicated to socio-economic transformation, thereby including the

marginalized and the socially and economically backward groups. Therefore, government of

India norms for welfare of SC, ST, OBC EWC, etc. will be followed in selection of the

fellows.

9.3 Gender balance

A fair try will be made for selection of women candidates in case sufficient number of

applications are received and proposals are as per the criteria decided by DAIC.

9.4 Special interventions

Although no special provisions have been made which may go against the rules made by the

Government of India yet at least 10% seats may be given to North-east states, Bengal and

Orissa as some researchers from these states will be immensely helpful in conducting

research on inclusive growth and affirmative actions in North-east region.

10. Cost Analysis:

10.1 Cost estimate for the scheme duration*.

Nature of Assistance Post-Doctoral

Duration 2 Years

Monthly Fellowship with annual

increase of Rs 3000/- RS.50000= Annual Grant Rs. 600000

HRA* per month RS.6500= Annual Grant Rs.75000

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Contingency Fund per Annum** RS.30000

Escorts / Reader Assistance per

month in cases of (Divyangs)

physically disabled & blind

candidates

RS.3000 = Annual Grant Rs. 36000

National Travel per month*** RS.5000 = Annual Grant Rs. 60000

Total amount per year per fellowship 801000

* The amount indicated is maximum permissible. Eligible amount will be fixed on

actual rent agreement basis. No HRA will be paid to the local residents.

** The amount indicated is maximum permissible. Eligible amount will be fixed by

assessing the Research Project.

*** The amount indicated is maximum permissible. The amount will not be given in

advance. It will be reimbursed through proper channel after verification of the

approved travel plan by the competent authority and on the basis of hard copies of

travel tickets.

Nature of Assistance Post-doctoral (Overseas) 2 Fellowships

Annual Maintenance Charge i. The annual maintenance

allowance of US Dollars 15400/-

(Fifteen Thousand Four Hundred)

for the USA and other Countries

ii. The annual maintenance

allowance of 9900/- (Nine

Thousand Nine Hundred) Great

Britain Pound (GBP) for UK only

Contingency Allowance US Dollars 1500 for the USA and other

Countries and Great Britain Pound (GBP)

1100/-(One Thousand One Hundred) for the

UK only

Incidental journey allowance

& equipment allowance

The prescribed Incidental journey allowance

is US $20/- (Twenty) or its equivalent in

Indian Rupees and the prescribed equipment

allowance is US$ 20/- (Twenty)

Poll Tax Actual visa fees in Indian Rupees will be

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paid.

Tuition Fees Actual as charged

Medical Insurance Premium Actual as charged

Air Passage Air passage from India to the nearest place to

the educational institution and back to India,

by economy class and shortest route in

arrangements with the national carrier, will

be provided.

Local Travel (i) Second or Coach Class railway fare from

the port of disembarkation to the place of

study and back. In case of far flung places

not connected by rail, bus fare(s) from the

place of residence to the nearest railway

station, actual charge of crossing by ferry,

air fare to the nearest rail-cum-air Station

and/or second class railway fare by the

shortest route to the port of embarkation

and back will be permissible.

(ii) The mode of disbursement of above

listed financial assistance will be

decided by the Government of India and

Indian Missions abroad.

11. Completion of Fellowship

11.1. Once joined, a fellow will have to complete the fellowship and the research work within

two years. In case (due to unavoidable circumstances) a fellow leaves the fellowship before

two years, he/she will have to submit a detailed progress report of the work done with

publications, if any, duly forwarded by the supervisor and the affiliating institution with the

final settlement of account by the affiliating institution up to the period of fellowship. In such

cases, the fellow will have to present his/her case before the committee and final decision will

be taken by the committee. The committee will advise whether the research will be

completed by the other scholar or by DAIC professors/research staff.

11.2. In special case of maternity/medical/extra ordinary circumstances, if a scholar remains

on leave (not to exceed six months) with prior approval of the competent authority DAIC, the

tenure of fellowship will be extended by that period but the total amount of fellowship will

not exceed 24 months.

11.3 On completion of the fellowship, the scholar will have to submit the following:

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a) A book-length final Report in a publishable form along-with a Summary of the report

(2500-3500 words) and published research papers.

b) All documents should be submitted in hard copies (three copies of final report and

five copies each of the Summary and research articles) and a soft copy of both in pen-

drive.

c) A certificate of settlement of assets and books purchased out of the contingency grant

issued by the affiliating Institution.

11.4. A maximum of three months period will be granted for submission of the final report

after completion of the fellowship. In special case of maternity/medical/extra ordinary

circumstances, the period for submission of report may be extended to 6 months with prior

approval of the competent authority.

1.5. Under no circumstances, the period of submission of report shall be extended to more

than 6 months.

12. Obligations of the Affiliating Institution

12.1 The affiliating institution will have to maintain the accounts properly and provide the

requisite research infrastructure to the scholar. For this, DAIC shall pay to the

affiliating/administering institution overhead charges of seven and a half percent (7.5%) of

the total Fellowship.

12.2 The affiliating institution will have to give an undertaking in the prescribed format

annexed with the Application Form to administer and manage the DAIC fellowship amount.

12.3 Ensuring submission of the final report, audited Statement of Accounts, Utilization

Certificate and a completion certificate duly signed by the competent authority will be the

responsibility of the affiliated institution.

12.4 DAIC shall pay overhead charges only after the completion of the fellowship and on

receipt of the final audited Statement of Accounts.

13. Conditions for Post-doctoral fellows

13.1 The post-doctoral research work should not be as per the requirement of DAIC.

13.2. The duration of full time regular fellowship shall be strictly for two years. In no case,

the fellowship beyond two years will be considered. However, extension for submission of

final report may be granted on justified reasons without any additional financial commitment

of the DAIC.

13.3 The contingency grant may be utilized for books, journals, stationery, computer related

costs, and the field work expenses connected with the research work. All items purchased

from contingency fund during the fellowship will have to be deposited to DAIC through

affiliated institute.

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13.4 DAIC reserves all the rights to publish the fellowship report funded by it. In case the

fellow wishes to publish the research, prior permission of the competent authority is needed.

In such cases, the scholar will have to acknowledge DAIC’s support in all publications.

13.5 Income tax deductions as per the Government of India rules are applicable on all

fellowships. It will be done at the level of the affiliating/ administering institution.

13.6 DAIC follows Government of India Rules and Directives in case of SC, ST, OBC, EWS,

Divyangs, Widows, etc.

13.7 Defaulters of any previous fellowship/project/grant from any other institution will not be

eligible for consideration until the applicant obtains the clearance from the concerned

administrative division.

13.8 Once enrolled in an institution and received DAIC fellowship, a fellow should not

accept any other fellowship or research project or regular financial benefit/assignment from

any other institution.

13.9 The research proposal/final report of the fellowship cannot be submitted for the award of

any University degree/diploma or funding by any other institution. DAIC however, will have

no objection if, with prior permission of DAIC, the scholar utilizes the research data for this

purpose.

13.10 The fellowship may be transferred from one affiliating institution to another on the

request of the scholar under special circumstance with prior approval of DAIC, subject to

submission of the following documents-

i. Satisfactory progress report.

ii. No objection certificate from both previous and the proposed university/institute.

iii. Consent letter along with C.V. of the new supervisor.

iv. Audited statement of account and utilization certificate along with unspent balance, if

any.

13.11 During the tenure of fellowship, the rules regarding all matters including drawls of

TA/DA, holidays/leave and contingency grant, etc. will be as per the rules of the

affiliating/administering institution.

13.12 The selected fellows are expected to do full time research in India. They could,

however, undertake data collection outside India in exceptional cases only in case it is the

need of the approved proposal but with the permission of DAIC. For this the scholars are

required to apply separately for consideration with the approval of the

affiliating/administering institution.

13.13 The scholar should not have been subjected to any disciplinary/legal

action/proceedings/financial penalties in his/her career/ research career.

13.14 The final report submitted by the scholar will be considered satisfactory only after its

evaluation by DAIC.

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13.15 Books/periodicals/equipment purchased by the scholar out of the contingency grant

should be deposited to DAIC with the affiliating/administering institution and a certificate to

this effect may be submitted along with the final report.

13.16 DAIC reserves all the right to reject any application/nomination. The final

interpretation of the rules will be given by DAIC. The Centre is also not responsible for any

postal loss/delays in communications.

13.17 Incomplete applications in any respect shall not be considered for fellowship.

RESEARCH PROPOSAL FORMAT

Other than the mandatory information accompanying each application, candidates should

submit their research proposal in two parts:

A) Abstract of the research proposal (about 300 words).

B) Detailed research proposal (about 3000 words) in the format given below-

1. Title: The research proposal should have a clear, meaningful and concise title reflecting

the themes of research mentioned in Para 1.3.

2. Introduction: The research proposal should explicitly mention the research problem to be

investigated in the light of its theoretical and/or empirical context in the relevant area.

3. Objectives of the Study: Aims and objectives of the study should be clearly mentioned

corresponding with the major themes in para 1.3.

4. Research Questions or Hypotheses: In correspondence with the problem statement,

specific hypotheses must be indicated as a part of the research proposal.

5. Review of Literature (National & International): The current status of the work done in

the area, existing empirical findings and the overview should clearly be

demonstrated/explained/mentioned with relevance as well as inadequacy of existing findings

or approaches and provide a rationale for the proposed study.

6. Research Methodology The research methodology which is going to be used by the

scholar should contain the following elements-

i. The scope and coverage of her/his study.

ii. Approach and methodology with adequate justification.

iii. Emphasis on bringing out innovativeness in approaches proposed to be followed.

iv. Research design, data to be collected and empirical and analytical methods to be used.

v. Explicit linkage with the aims of the research and the research questions/hypotheses

of the study.

7. Relevance and Anticipated Outcomes: The proposal should include relevance of the

study and the anticipated outcomes. It should bring out the significance of the research

problem, the contribution which the proposed study is expected to make society and policy

making. It should also describe the proposed outputs from the study (Books, research papers,

occasional papers with themes, policy document, monograph, etc.)

8. Tentative Chapterisation: Details chapterisation with at least 100 words on each chapter.

9. Bibliography: Bibliography should be prepared in Chicago Manual Style.

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Note- Applications with all relevant documents should reach the office of the Director, Dr.

Ambedkar International Centre within 45 days for national and 60 days for overseas from the

publication of this advertisement in newspaper.

Annexure / Checklists (Send along with application form)

1. Abstract of the Proposal (upto 300 words).

2. Detailed Research Proposal (about 3000 words in the format as indicated in the guidelines).

3. Brief academic CV (upto three pages including (1) educational qualifications, (Post-Graduation

onwards), (2) list of five best publications in the form of books/research papers/reports with

bibliographical details).

4. Consent letter and brief academic CV of the Supervisor (2-3 pages).

5. Forwarding letter from the Head of the affiliating Institution duly stamped and signed on the letter head.

6. Self-attested Matriculation Certificate and Post-Graduation/M Phil/Ph D. Certificates/Mark sheets.

7. Self-attested SC/ST/OBC/PWD certificate issued by the competent authority.

8. Those, applying under salary protection, should attach a certificate of Last Month’s Gross Drawn Pay.

* In case of the employed scholars, the salary and other allowances (except those mentioned

in para 10) will be protected by the parent institution.